OWB for CCW???

[PYROhafe]

I am required to have an OWB holster for my upcoming cwp class so.... my question is should I get one Ill be likely to use in the future, or just something cheap for the class? Do any of you guys use OWB for CCW? Maybe during the winter when wearing heavier clothing? Or do you just stick to pocket or IWB for CCW?

[yqtszhj]

Get something that you may use in the future. Sometimes it's nice to wear OWB when you are outdoors or wearing a long coat. I started with IWB only and then picked up a cheap OWB slide that fits close to the body but rides high at a gun show. When outdoors in the winter it's very nice.

[dkmatthews]

I wouldn't waste money on a cheap OWB holster. Get one that is good quality and use it. There's nothing wrong with using an OWB holster with nothing concealing it but an untucked shirt.

[Yogi 117]

I have & use frequently a Fobus Paddle Holster for my Glock26, very comfy, rides close to body, and under $30. Very easy to hide with any un-tucked shirt or jacket. I like hearing that "Click" as it falls into place so nice & easily. Hardly know it's riding on my R Hip at about 4:00. Good luck on your decision. :)

[JFootin]

Get the one in this thread and after the class you can use it for ultra concealable IWB like the OP did:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10107

[PYROhafe]

Ok, I was kind of leaning toward what you guys have said. So now to decide... I like the idea of that crossbreed in the post jfootin, but with that as an actual owb, it seems like it would be a lot. Kinda thinkin about goin to paul again and tryin out a pj owb.... jfootin... im lookin for your help here again. I got the IWB holster, AND the belt you pointed me toward (and love em both so far) so I guess I kinda trust ya! haha

(wonder if paul would hook me up with a deal if I went ahead and ordered a AIWB, Pocket, and OWB at the same time to go with my IWB?) :D

[TheTman]

A lot of IWB holster are wearable as OWB holster, if you put them between your pants and your belt. Not sure if your class allows that or not. Otherwise I'd get a good OWB that you can use during jacket weather. During the summer, I can hide my snubbie in an OWB under an Hawaiian long short sleeved shirt, or sometimes I wear a t-shirt and an Hawiian print long shirt and that seems to work ok. Until it gets REAL hot, then I just been sticking my compact 9mm down the front of my pants in a remora holster, Covered by a long t-shirt.

[kerby9mm]

I carry all my guns OWB because for me it is more comfortable especially when sitting. Only you know there is a gun under your shirt. OWB for me is more accessible and anyway here in Michigan the law now allows for open carry. Just sayin.

[JFootin]

Ok, I was kind of leaning toward what you guys have said. So now to decide... I like the idea of that crossbreed in the post jfootin, but with that as an actual owb, it seems like it would be a lot. Kinda thinkin about goin to paul again and tryin out a pj owb.... jfootin... im lookin for your help here again. I got the IWB holster, AND the belt you pointed me toward (and love em both so far) so I guess I kinda trust ya! haha

(wonder if paul would hook me up with a deal if I went ahead and ordered a AIWB, Pocket, and OWB at the same time to go with my IWB?) :D

Well, he would save on shipping them all together, so it is worth a try! :D

[2aforall]

I carry owb fairly often. its very comfortable. I typically use a high ride pancake. The first one I bought had the belt loop option for iwb. I got it from simply rugged. I am not a big fan of belt loops. Ao I made my own pancake that has holes for belt clips. I like that better. What you loose with owb is the distance below the top of the belt that you gun and holster hang down. the high ride I got from simply rugged only sits about 2" down. If you are new to cc that can seem like you are wearing a red flag on your shirt. To to the avg person...nothing. Its all about what you feel comfortable with.

[JFootin]

I carry owb fairly often. its very comfortable. I typically use a high ride pancake. The first one I bought had the belt loop option for iwb. I got it from simply rugged. I am not a big fan of belt loops. Ao I made my own pancake that has holes for belt clips. I like that better. What you loose with owb is the distance below the top of the belt that you gun and holster hang down. the high ride I got from simply rugged only sits about 2" down. If you are new to cc that can seem like you are wearing a red flag on your shirt. To to the avg person...nothing. Its all about what you feel comfortable with.

+1 on the high ride pancake, especially with these short PM/CM Kahrs. I had one that I liked from Tagua, just $45 shipped for a leather lined holster: the Open Top Belt Holster (http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/open-top-leather-belt-holster-p21). It was a little too loose for my CM9, then I noticed that the package said it was made to fit the PM45. A lot of big holster makers do that - try to market one holster model to fit a group of guns. I hate that! :mad: But I sold it to another member who has a PM45 and he is very happy with it.

Here is one I am considering for my CM9, the first one on the page - the Bonneville (http://www.ubgholsters.com/owb.htm). With the CM9, it will extend barely an inch below the belt. (Interestingly, the Tagua holster that I got looked like this one with less cant; not at all like the one pictured on their website for a 1911. Tagua seems to be a pot luck dealer - you don't know what you're going to get 'till you get it. :()

[O'Dell]

I carry OWB any time I can cover the gun and holster. If I can't, I go to a pocket pistol because I practically never carry IWB. I have tried nearly all the IWB holsters, but so far, have never found one I like.

[ron61]

"I had one that I liked from Tagua, just $45 shipped for a leather lined holster: the Open Top Belt Holster (http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/open-top-leather-belt-holster-p21). It was a little too loose for my CM9, then I noticed that the package said it was made to fit the PM45."

(Interestingly, the Tagua holster that I got looked like this one with less cant; not at all like the one pictured on their website for a 1911. Tagua seems to be a pot luck dealer - you don't know what you're going to get 'till you get it. :()

That's because Tagua is a South American company that uses substandard materials and pays its workers pennies a day. Not knocking the company, just explaining what it is. Flatteringly, it could be described as a multinational, high profit, low overhead corporation. Corporations with a similar business model have also been described as sweatshops so I guess it's all just a question of perspective.

[titus1971]

I ordered a Desantis speed scabbard from Optics Planet and It hugs close enough that I can wear a P9 OWB with a loose t-shirt. It's a 3 slot rig so you can where it as a straight drop or canted. Here's the link for the P9/CW9.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/002BAD6Z0/

[PYROhafe]

Ok I see the recomendations for the pancake style? Is that just the 2 belt holes? I just worry that if for some reason I have to remove the gun (no weapons sign or something) that ill either be walking around with just a holster on, or messing with my belt in the parking lot somewhere trying to get my gun off. Also any downsides to going with the clip on style (like the pj holster) I have no real preferance here, just something not too expensive but still nice, and with good retention.

[JFootin]

Well, whatever kind of holster you are wearing, you will be concealing it under a loose shirt, or a jacket in colder months. If you are going into a place where you can't take your gun and you are wearing a pancake holster or any holster with closed belt loop(s), just keep the empty holster concealed as usual.

And if you are going to be leaving your gun in the car, get one of those small gun safes that can go under the car seat and is attached by a cable to the seat frame.

A clip on holster, or a leather one with snap loops, can be removed without removing your belt. The PJ with over the belt clip is about perfect for use with a Kahr pistol. You don't need anything bigger. And with a proper belt, there is no holster that will hold your gun closer to your body.

I have a PJ that is tuckable and attaches to the back of the belt with Velcro. There is nothing at all visible on the belt or on me when I am wearing that, so I wouldn't worry about carrying into a business with a no guns sign. I wouldn't try that in a post office. But with the gun concealed so completely, I wouldn't worry about being asked to leave a store or business. Not going to happen.

[dkmatthews]

Ok I see the recomendations for the pancake style? Is that just the 2 belt holes? I just worry that if for some reason I have to remove the gun (no weapons sign or something) that ill either be walking around with just a holster on, or messing with my belt in the parking lot somewhere trying to get my gun off. Also any downsides to going with the clip on style (like the pj holster) I have no real preferance here, just something not too expensive but still nice, and with good retention.

You should probably examine your real motivations for carrying. Unless you're just posing, you will most likely end up making the decision to not disarm just because someone posted a sign. Regardless of signs on a door, concealed means concealed. If it's truly concealed, only you will know that you're carrying.

[Planedude]

Heres one that I often recomend for folks starting out:
http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=2817&p=SA+324&ct=e
At about $26 delivered it can hold a wide group of guns. None of them as well as a true "boned to fit yours" holster...
Plus, its imbossed NRA!
Good luck on the class.

[2aforall]

Here is what I was talking about.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t401/AGCHolsters/IMG_20120711_195003-1.jpg

This is the pancake style. The slots on either side are for your belt. Wearing it OWB it hugs really close to your body. Much closer than something that has a belt loop on the back. The majority of the holster is above the belt. Conceals well. The holes below the slots are for metal clips. The holster would then be worn IWB. It is tuckable. So the clips are the only thing that shows. So folks make these wiht belt loops instead of metal clips. I don't care for those, but just a preference.

WARNING: USELESS INFO ALERT: It's hard to get the holster much smaller than this for the CM9. The belt clips are actually almost as long as the distance from the grip to the end of the barrel. What would happen if it were smaller is that the clips would cause the grip to ride too far down and it would be hard to get ahold of. I spent some time designing this one.

[7shot]

I also like to use a Galco JAK Slide Belt Holster with my K9. It's a comfortable, close fitting OWB during our hot summers.

[JFootin]

Here is what I was talking about.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t401/AGCHolsters/IMG_20120711_195003-1.jpg



Yeah. Very similar to one I am close to ordering for my CM9: the UBG Bonneville (http://www.ubgholsters.com/owb.htm).
http://www.ubgholsters.com/bonneville.jpg
I am a lefty, so I have to take my belt out of all but one or two belt(s) loop on my pants to put the holster on. But it is something I will do once a day, so I am OK with it. The comfort and high, close to the body carry are worth it.

[Shadow Catcher]

I am required to have an OWB holster for my upcoming cwp class so.... my question is should I get one Ill be likely to use in the future, or just something cheap for the class? Do any of you guys use OWB for CCW? Maybe during the winter when wearing heavier clothing? Or do you just stick to pocket or IWB for CCW?
I use three different OWB holsters for the K9 - I use a Galco Stinger or Matrix for concealment, and a Ross Sedona for range use. All are comfortable 12 hours or more. I have a few IWB holsters - a Kydex holster and a Remora holster - both are for when I must go IWB - frankly when that happens I'm as likely to use my Kramer undershirt holster . . . .

Shadow Catcher